Plainfield Renewable Energy plant begins operations

Ledios Holdings Inc. has announced the Plainfield Renewable Energy biomass plant in Plainfield, Conn., is now substantially complete and commercially operational. The 37.5-megawatt (MW) facility is one of the only Class 1 renewable biomass plants in the state.

The project was originally under development by a subsidiary of Enova Energy Group. Leidos, a company formerly known as Science Applications International Corp., announced its plans to assume ownership of the plant in October. The project was first announced in January 2012 when SAIC and the Carlyle Energy Mezzanine Opportunities Group announced an agreement to provide a subsidiary of the Enova Energy Group with financing for construction of the $225 million plant. On Oct. 15, 2013, Leidos released a statement that said acting in its capacity as a secured lender, the company pursued a consensual foreclosure to assume ownership of the project.

With the plant now substantially complete, Leidos said it would operate the plant and “commence marketing efforts to sell the facility to renewable power plant investors in an effort to maximize the value of the investment for shareholders.” Biomass Magazine was unable to immediately reach a representative of the company to ascertain additional details on its plan to sell the plant.

"The Plainfield Renewable Energy project is a unique power plant that creates a beneficial reuse for construction debris by turning it into energy. We're excited to have this important facility up and running to deliver renewable energy to the residents of Connecticut and New England for years to come," said John Jumper, Leidos chairman and CEO, in a statement.

The plant take sin a variety of biomass fuels sources, such as wood from construction and demolition debris, recycled wood pallets and land clearing materials. Connecticut Light & Power will purchase 80 percent of the power produced at the plant under a 15-year offtake agreement.

According to Leidos, the plant reached substantial completion on Dec. 21 under the terms of the facility’s engineer, procure and construct (EPC) contract. The facility has also met all conditions to qualify as an ISO New England market asset and achieved commercial operation under the terms of its interconnect agreement with ISO-NE. In addition, the plant has met the eligibility requirements under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for a 1603 cash grant.